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Don B

Senior Member

Joined: 27/09/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 190

Posted: 12:17pm 08 Jun 2010

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While looking for some electrical bits a while ago, I happened on the website of Alibaba.com, and was amazed at the vast range of wind generators, parts, and general electrical bits listed under their Electrical Equipment and Supplies page.

I have had one dealing with a Chinese supplier through Alibaba which was entirely satisfactory, but I do note that there is a post on the internet under Alibaba scam which related to someone who sent money directly to a shonky supplier. I think that, if you deal through Alibaba using their Escrow system, you would be well protected against scams, as the supplier is not paid until you receive the goods and confirm that they as advertised.

Anyone thinking of buying something from a Chinese supplier should assure themselves that the product is designed and made to standards that they are comfortable with (wind strength, construction materials, etc). Even though most suppliers appear to have developed their products for international markets, I guess that the old maxim of buyer beware must always be kept in mind.

While the products can be remarkably cheap, freight can be expensive, so check this closely. It also pays to check freight costs with the supplier, as they can sometimes improve on the advertised freight rate.

Buying ready made stuff is departing from the DIY principle, but it is hard to pass up some items when they seem to be on sale for substantially less than you would pay for the materials to make them.

Regards

Don B

VK4AYQ
Guru

Joined: 02/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2539

Posted: 12:36pm 08 Jun 2010

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Hi Don

I have bought quite a lot of things from china and only lost on one item and it disappeared between the local post office and my place, I only use ebay as they have a money return system if there is a problem, but the only ones I have had to invoke that with was Australian suppliers. Nothing major but a nuisance,

I bought a Chinese 500 watt turbine from a local supplier only to find it was useless as the regulator wouldn't work, and the bearings where no good. I will be posting a story on the forum how I got it going for the interest of all.

I hadn't tried alibaba for products but now as you recommend it I will give it a go.

Postage is another thing, it can make the product non competitive but I have found that you can get a good deal if you haggle a bit.

All the best

Bpb

Foolin Around

windlight
Guru

Joined: 03/03/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 331

Posted: 11:53pm 09 Jun 2010

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Interesting you should mention Alibaba I recently stumbled across it looking at these batteries.
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/opzs-battery.html

allan

"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - (Act II, Scene IV).

Steve9R

Regular Member

Joined: 24/01/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 72

Posted: 11:07am 10 Jun 2010

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this is interesting too.. for years we've all poo-pahed this..

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/229637141/50w_windmill_tur bine.html

???

Andy R.

Newbie

Joined: 07/05/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 18

Posted: 03:10am 11 Jun 2010

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VK4AYU Said:

"I bought a Chinese 500 watt turbine from a local supplier only to find it was useless as the regulator wouldn't work, and the bearings where no good. I will be posting a story on the forum how I got it going for the interest of all."

Yes, keep us informed, I flirt with Chinese windmills on ebay all the time.

VK4AYQ
Guru

Joined: 02/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2539

Posted: 04:20am 11 Jun 2010

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Hi Andy

I will keep you informed as it has been a bit of a saga and I am still waiting on Gordon to Finnish his cap testing to get a bit of low speed charge out of it.

All the best

Bob

Foolin Around

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